Village Threatened With Extinction By Israeli Settlement The village of Yanoun, where the population has been reduced to 59, may be the most threatened village in the West Bank, writes Linah Alsaafin. Palestine
Israel Votes for a One-State Solution Dalia Hatuqa writes that prospects for a two-state solution have further diminished with the Israeli elections. Palestine
Selek Case a Travesty For Turkish Judiciary Cengiz Candar describes the case and conviction of Pinar Selek as a low point for the Turkish judicial system. Turkey
Sectarian Agenda Seeks 'Sunni Restoration' in Syria, Iraq Geoffrey Aronson writes that the sectarian agenda of Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey in Syria is really about a "'Sunni restoration" in Iraq. Iraq
Hope for a Secular Lebanon Clovis Maksoud comments on the civil union of Kholoud Sukkariya and Nidal Darwish as giving hope for a more secular Lebanon. Lebanon
Yair Lapid: As Israeli as You Can Get Ben Caspit writes that Yair Lapid, the biggest winner of the elections, owes his success to the fact that he represents for many the "ultimate Israeli." Israel
Algeria: A New Chapter In War Against Terrorism Algeria renews its commitment to fight against terrorism and its various support networks. Algeria
Iran's Window for Nuclear Diplomacy Closing The Iranian elite is already absorbed in pre-presidential election politicking and is in no hurry to resume nuclear talks as long as the offer on the table does not include significant sanctions relief, writes Mohammad Ali Shabani. Iran
How Iran Lost Turkey’s Islamists Mustafa Akyol explains the deterioration in Turkish-Iranian relations in the past three years, mostly as a result of differences over Syria. Turkey
Arabs Soak Up Turkish Soap Operas Semih Idiz writes about the popularity of Turkish soap operas in the Arab world, and the reaction these shows are provoking in Turkey. Turkey
Meretz Leader Pledges Feisty Opposition to Netanyahu Akiva Eldar talks to Meretz leader Zehava Gal-On, who pledges to mount a strong opposition, but admits that she sometimes wishes to work in the government. Israel
Iraqiyya Bloc Seeks to Gain From Sunni Unrest in Iraq The opposition Iraqiyya bloc, led by former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, is seeking to capitalize on protests by Sunni Iraqis against the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, writes Ali Abel Sadah. Iraq
Palestinians in Gaza See Little Difference in Israeli Parties As far as Palestinians in Gaza are concerned, the results of Israel's elections will produce the same outcome for them, irrespective of the winner, Mohammed Suliman writes. Palestine
Hezbollah Satisfied With Israeli Election Results Nasser Chararah explains how Hezbollah interprets Israeli politics and the recent elections. Israel
Russia's Israel Policies Fyodor Lukyanov explains the complexities and seeming contradictions of Russia's policies toward Israel. Israel
Hamas Maintains Ties With Iran Despite Difference Over Syria Despite a strain in ties over the Syrian crisis, Hamas is still interested in maintaining relations with Iran, Abeer Ayyoub reports. Palestine